Sherdog Testosterone replacement therapy no longer has a place in Nevada. The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) voted to ban any future use of TRT in the state, passing the motion during a Thursday meeting. The regulatory body unanimously approved the ban, which affects potential first-time applicants as well as previous TRT users, who will not be granted new exemptions moving forward. The NAC regulates all combat sports within the state, including mixed martial arts, which has produced multiple TRT users competing at a high level. Several Ultimate Fightnig Championship talents have received TRT exemptions in the past from Nevada, as well as from other state commissions and the UFC, including Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort. Belfort’s case is especially pertinent, as the middleweight contender is slated to challenge Chris Weidman this coming May in the main event of UFC 173 in Las Vegas. The 36-year-old “Phenom” has won five of his last six fights, scoring three consecutive knockouts last year over the likes of Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Henderson.

If you are a fan of mixed martial arts, this is huge news, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned the use of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). For those of you who do not know, as men age, their bodies stop producing as much testosterone. This can happen earlier in men who use steroids to enhance performance, an athlete’s body will counter the excess testosterone, and counterbalance itself by shutting down testosterone production. When people say that steroids shrivel your balls this is what they mean. TRT replaces testosterone in men whose bodies have slowed or stopped testosterone production by introducing androgen into their systems by injecting it, or by using creams or gels, which boosts testosterone levels.

This will be a highly controversial topic leading up to UFC 173 this May when Chris Weidman defends his UFC Middleweight Title against Vitor Belfort. The challenger Vitor Belfort is a known user of TRT, which he uses to replenish testosterone levels, which are likely low due to his pervious use of banned substances. TRT use seems to have revitalized Belfort’s career, as the 36 year old has won his last three fights, all by knockout. Keep an eye on this storyline as we get closer to UFC 173, TRT use is a hot topic, and it will be debated heavily during the coming months.

I’m interested to hear what UFC commentator Joe Rogan has to say about the TRT ban, as he himself uses TRT, but I believe is against it’s use in competition.